Professor Adam Frank: The Inspiration Gap And The Shuttle's Last Launch

July 8, 2011

Professor Adam Frank.

Space shuttle Atlantis.

Adam Frank is a professor of astrophysics whose current research topics include jets from young stellar objects, bipolar outflows from evolved stars such as planetary nebulae, and massive stars. He has been a regular contributor to Discover Magazine, Astronomy Magazine, and NPR.

Back in 1972 the library in my hometown wasn't very big. But its size didn't matter much to my 10-year-old sensibilities. That was the year I discovered their collection on the U.S. space program. Those few books where big enough to help change my life.

I spent the whole summer poring over images taken by NASA astronauts and space probes. I decided one day, no matter what, I was going to be a scientist too.

That experience turns out to be almost universal for the last three generations of U.S. scientists.

About the University of Rochester
The University of Rochester (www.rochester.edu) is one of the nation's leading private universities. Located in Rochester, N.Y., the University gives students exceptional opportunities for interdisciplinary study and close collaboration with faculty through its unique cluster-based curriculum. Its College, School of Arts and Sciences, and Hajim School of Engineering and Applied Sciences are complemented by its Eastman School of Music, Simon School of Business, Warner School of Education, Laboratory for Laser Energetics, School of Medicine and Dentistry, School of Nursing, Eastman Institute for Oral Health, and the Memorial Art Gallery.